#CancelNetflix Campaign Heats Up over ‘Mignonnes’

Desk Report

Published: 11 Sep 2020, 08:05 pm

Thousands of people called on Netflix to boycott the French movie "Mignonnes" on Thursday, furious that its young stars were depicted sexually.

The film, known as "Cuties" in English, is directed by French-Senegalese director Maimouna Doucoure and began streaming on September 9. More than 200,000 tweets with the hashtag "# CancelNetflix" became the top topic theme one day later, reports AFP.  

The first wave of criticism, in August, prompted Netflix to remove the "inappropriate" artwork used to advertise the film that was released in theaters in France that month.

Netflix also said he apologised for using "inappropriate" images.

But on Thursday, broader opposition to some of the imagery came from around the political spectrum in the United States.

DeAnna Lorraine, a former Republican candidate for Congress from California, tweeted that “Child pornography is illegal in America.”

“As the mother of an 8-year old girl, I STRONGLY support #CancelNetflix,” added Beatrice Cardenas, another California Republican.

The film, which won a filmmaker's award at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of Amy, an 11-year-old Parisian who has to deal with the strict rules of her Senegalese family and social media.

She joins a dance group founded by three other girls from her neighborhood, whose choreography is often suggestive.

“The hypersexualization of girls (and boys) is disgusting,” tweeted Omar Navarro, another Republican politician. “It is morally and ethically reprehensible. Pedophiles, child rapists and perverts would have a great time with #Cuties.”

Contacted by AFP, Netflix did not immediately comment.

Among the voices praising the movie were American actress Tessa Thompson (“Creed”, “Avengers: Endgame”), who found it “beautiful.”

“It gutted me at @sundancefest,” she went on.

“It introduces a fresh voice at the helm. She’s a French Senegalese Black woman mining her experiences.

“The film comments on the hyper-sexualization of preadolescent girls. Disappointed to see the current discourse. Disappointed to see how it was positioned in terms of marketing.

“I understand the response of everybody. But it doesn’t speak to the film I saw.”

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